The first leg of construction for the $35 million, voter approved jail bond will kick off at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, January 5 at the Smith County Low Risk Facility, located at 2811 Public Rd. in Tyler.
This first phase of construction will include the relocation of Smith County kitchen and laundry facilities in order to streamline jail services. It will also include the addition of a video visitation station that will improve safety and security during the visitation process. Construction of the Low Risk Facility portion of the jail project is expected to last about 36 weeks. Construction on the downtown portion of the jail improvement plan is scheduled to begin once the Low Risk Facility portion is complete.

Smith County is one of few government entities nation-wide to receive the 2011 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Purchasing Institute.
This prestigious award is earned by those entities that demonstrate excellence, innovation, professionalism, productivity and leadership in their procurement practices.
“We have worked with the Commissioners Court to implement a lot of good procedures,” Smith County Purchasing Director Kelli Davis said. “This is a great honor for the County.”
In addition to the prestigious national award received by Smith County Purchasing Department, Mrs. Davis is also the recipient of the 2011 Presidential Award for Outstanding and Dedicated Service to TxPPA, an award she has received two years in a row for her service as a Board Member and chair of three committees.

The Smith County Commissioners Court has voted to lift the county-wide burn ban, effective immediately, but urges citizens to exercise extreme caution and diligent supervision in their burning activities.
Smith County Fire Marshal Jim Seaton recommended to the court that the ban be lifted, with the stipulation that the County Judge can reinstate the burn ban if drought conditions revert.
As of Tuesday, the drought index in Smith County had fallen to 616 on the Keetch Byram Drought Index (KBDI), with expectations that it would continue to fall with approaching rains. High winds remain a source for concern.
“We are glad to lift the ban, but people will have to exercise precautions,” Commissioner Terry Phillips said.
Even when there is no burn ban in effect, it is illegal to burn when winds reach 23 miles per hour or above. The Fire Marshal’s Office strongly advises against burning when winds are in excess of 15 mph. Seaton stressed that citations for reckless damage will be issued for fires that cross property lines.
Under state law burning must take place during daylight hours and certain items may never be burned on private property including: tires, electrical insulation, treated lumber, plastics, heavy oils, non-wood construction/demolition materials, asphaltic materials, potentially explosive materials, chemical wastes, and items containing natural or synthetic rubber.

Smith County is the recipient of the Texas Comptroller Gold Leadership Circle Award for financial transparency. The Comptroller Gold Leadership Award recognizes government entities that set the bar for financial transparency and access to the public. The Texas Comptroller’s Leadership Circle program recognizes local governments across Texas that are striving to meet a high standard for financial transparency online by providing citizens with a clear, consistent picture of spending and sharing information in a user friendly format.
The program spotlights those local governments that are:
• opening their books to the public
•  providing clear, consistent pictures of spending
• sharing information in a user-friendly format that lets taxpayers easily drill down for more information.

The current burn ban in Smith County was extended for 90 days by the Smith County Commissioners Court during a regular meeting Tuesday morning.
Smith County Fire Marshal Jim Seaton recommended the burn ban’s extension due to continuing extreme drought conditions and the likelihood of a severe winter fire season.
“We are expecting the severity of our fire situation to increase as we enter winter and the little bit of live foliage we still have dies off,” Seaton said.
Since July 1, 2011 the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office has recorded 563 fire responses, 372 burn ban warnings, 156 burn ban citations and three counts of reckless destruction of property. Smith County has also had 25 structures and 34 vehicles destroyed or damaged in wildfires.

The Northeast Texas Public Health District has started offering  flu vaccinations at their location at 815 N. Broadway.  Special NETPHD Immunization Clinic hours have been established and are Monday – Thursday 8am – 11am and 1pm – 4pm and Wednesday until 6pm.
The seasonal flu vaccination will be given on a first come, first serve basis until the vaccine supply is depleted.
The cost for the flu vaccination is $20.00 per person and the cost for the flu mist is $25.00 per person.  Medicaid and Medicare Part B will be accepted.  Children who are uninsured or underinsured and qualify for the Vaccines for Children Program will be charged $8.00.
According to Dr. Jonathan MacClements, Smith County Health Authority, “The simplest and safest protection against the influenza virus, recommended by the CDC is vaccination.  People at increased risk for complications from the flu should get the vaccine as early as possible.”
Please be aware that the seasonal flu vaccine is currently available and this flu vaccine will also protect against the H1N1 flu strain.  Therefore, only one flu shot is recommended.
For additional information, please contact the Northeast Texas Public Health District Immunizations Department at 903-510-5604 or visit us at www.healthyeasttx.org.

The County Treasurers’ Association of Texas (CTAT) has announced that Smith County Treasurer Kelli White is one of 4 nominees in the state of Texas for the 2011 Texas Outstanding Treasurer Award.
There are 245 County Treasurers grouped into 12 Regions in the County Treasurers’ Association of Texas (CTAT) and each one nominates a Treasurer from their Region. The other three nominees are Sharon Reynolds from Brazoria County, Dolores Ortega Carter from Travis County and Mitzi Wohleking from Midland County.
“I feel honored to be nominated by my peers for this prestigious award,” Ms. White said.
The winner will be announced at the 63rd Annual County Treasurers’ Association of Texas Conference September 18-22, 2011, which will also be hosted by Smith County. The event will be held at the Holiday Inn  on South Broadway and is expected to attract more than a hundred County Treasurers from across the state of Texas.
“We are working hard with CTAT to make this a successful program and an event that is sure to attract a lot of people to Smith County,” Ms. White said.
The conference will include a welcome reception with welcoming remarks by Mayor Barbara Bass, dinner at the Petroleum Club on Lake Tyler as well as CTAT board meetings, committee meetings, education hours and a legislative update.
The primary focus of CTAT is on education. Members frequently serve as board members for investment firms and on committees formed to solve some of the most difficult administrative issues facing Texas counties.
For more information on the 63rd Annual County Treasurers’ Association of Texas Conference, vendor booth information or information on how local businesses can help sponsor this event, please contact Kelli White by email at kwhite@smith-county.com or by phone at (903) 590-4731.

The Smith County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to restrict the sale and use of certain aerial fireworks outside of city limits for the Fourth of July Fireworks season and as needed during existence of drought conditions. The ban applies to the sale and use of fireworks that are “rockets with sticks” or “missiles with fins.” A violation of a Commissioners Court fireworks restriction is a Class C misdemeanor under state law. The ban will not have any effect on commercial displays of fireworks.

Recently the House passed a budget that I voted against because it appropriated almost half a billion dollars to corporate welfare that I believe should be going to our schools, the weak among us and the elderly.
Perhaps that was not popular with some of my fellow Representatives, but voting to send money to corporations in Houston or Dallas does not serve the school children of Gregg and Smith Counties. Voting to subsidize the film and music industry and commercials for Fortune 500 companies in Austin does not help our disabled here at home in East Texas.
Then, this week, when the Senate sent their version of the budget back to the House, I moved to instruct the committee that reconciles the two versions of the budget to reallocate $140 million that was slated for the Emerging Technology Fund—a corporate incentives program—back to our schools, libraries, and nursing homes.
I am happy to report that 70 other Representatives agreed with me and my motion passed.
The Texas Constitution makes it “the duty of the Legislature of the State to establish and make suitable provision for . . . public free schools.” But nowhere does the Constitution require us to give money to special interests.
Every decision to give money to one program is a decision not to spend it elsewhere. The Legislature is often faced with the dilemma of having to choose between two initiatives with only enough funding for one. Those are the hard decisions that we are elected to make. So, we must keep our priorities straight.
It is imperative that we fulfill our commitments to our children and the elderly here in East Texas and across the state.
For too long we have allowed politicians to pass ill-advised legislation because no one was willing to stand up for what’s right for fear of ridicule and retaliation. As a result, civil government these days lacks what Thomas Jefferson said were the essential qualities of “wisdom and frugality.” Instead it is known for arrogance and extravagance.
The state budget in 2004 was $118 billion. The budget estimate for the current biennium is $187 billion! That’s a 58% increase while population and inflation have gone up just 34%.  All the while, the cost of living for taxpayers has also increased.
Prosperity is the fruit of wise and frugal decisions of individuals, businesses and government. So the choice before us is either to reduce government spending overall and get back to essentials or to increase taxation. I support the former. That’s what families and businesses have done and that’s what government must do for our future prosperity.
Jefferson was right—good government is wise and frugal. So what does that mean for the tight budget and our present Legislature? We must focus on promoting the general welfare and fulfilling our constitutional obligations, and otherwise leave people free and responsible for their own actions.
________________________________________

Wise Words
“. . . only by refraining from measures which they would not wish to be used on themselves can the members of a majority forestall the adoption of such measures when they are in a minority. — Friedrich A. Hayek, The Constitution of Liberty, 1960.

“Do not put your hope in princes. . . .” — Psalm 146:3

Thanks for your continued prayers.

Gregg County Jail

                William Edward Welch, 24, of Kilgore and Tori Gambling, 19, of Longview remained jailed Sunday on $30,000 bond each, charged with manual delivery of a controlled substance. Police said Welch and Gambling were arrested Saturday morning at Motel 6 in the 100 block of South Access Road.

                Patrick Shane Russell, 32, of Kilgore remained jailed Sunday on $5,000 bond, charged with possession of a controlled substance. Police said Russell was arrested about 5 p.m. Saturday .

                Manuel Enrique Barrientos Jr., 18, of Longview remained jailed Sunday on $20,000 bond, charged with deadly conduct/discharging a firearm. Police said Barrientos was arrested about 4:30 p.m. Saturday in the 300 block of Fenton Street.

                Find Police Beat by clicking ‘police’ at news-journal.com. Gregg County Crime Stoppers might pay up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest or conviction. To report a crime, call (903) 236-STOP.

Accused Man Could Face More Charges In California

By KELLY GOOCH
Staff Writer

            A Jacksonville man could face additional charges from California after he was arrested for allegedly abusing a girl.

            John David Mullins, 57, was arrested Friday at his residence on Beaumont Street, where he lives with his wife and grandson. He was charged with prohibited sexual conduct with a descendent or ancestor by blood or adoption, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison. As of Tuesday, he remained in the Cherokee County Jail on a $200,000 bond, according to jail records.

            Jacksonville Police Detective James Oden said the Special Weapons and Tactics Team executed the arrest warrant on Mullins’ residence because they had information that the house had numerous fire-arms.

            Mullins, who moved from California to Jacksonville in August 2010, also made comments about using the weapons, and authorities worried about him being a danger to himself or others, Oden said.

            During the raid, police collected computers, hard drives and other items.

            Oden said police became aware of the alleged abuse when the now 18-year-old woman spoke out.

            He said the inappropriate contact began when she was about 6 years old and continued until January this year.

            The abuse was “basically manipulative and coerced because of years of training,” he said.

            “She’s dating a young man (now) who got her to confirm his beliefs. Somebody finally gave her the courage to come forward.”

            Oden said police would have charged Mullins with continuous sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony, but they were unable to because the accused moved to Texas when she was considered an adult.

            California authorities, who helped Oden by interviewing people there, can review his case report and decide whether they want to pursue charges.

            Meanwhile, Oden continues to follow up on leads to ensure there are no other possible victims in Texas.

            “We are trying to make sure that’s not something that’s happened that we haven’t found out about,” he said.

            Cherokee County District Attorney Elmer Beckworth said his office could get the case later this week and will work with California authorities if they decide to pursue charges.

Driver Charged With Intoxication Manslaughter

            The driver of a pickup truck involved in a fatal accident with a motorcycle was charged with intoxication manslaughter, Tyler police said.

            A Tylerite was killed Saturday from injuries suffered when the motorcycle he was riding hit a truck that had failed to yield the right of way at a red light, police said.

            Carlos Edgar Ramirez-Medina, 25, was driving a motorcycle southbound on Palace Avenue near the intersection of Oakwood Street at 5:39 p.m. Saturday, police said.

            Witnesses told police the motorcycle was south on Palace in the inside lane, and a pickup truck was north on Palace turning west onto Oakwood.

            Witnesses said the motorcycle had a green light and the pickup turned in front of the motorcycle, failing to yield right of way. The motorcycle struck the passenger’s side of the pickup, according to police.

            The driver of the pickup, Charles Winn, 52, of Tyler, was charged with intoxication manslaughter, police said. Ramirez-Medina was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no other injuries reported at the scene.